failed to go

USAGE SUMMARY

"failed to go" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that someone did not succeed in going to a place or event. Example: She failed to go to the meeting due to a scheduling conflict. Alternative expressions include "did not go" and "was unable to go."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Her suicide belt failed to go off.

Independent

In Birmingham, a huge car bomb failed to go off.

The Economist

Warburton bemoaned the way Wales yet again failed to go the distance against Australia.

Independent

Since 2009, the incident rate has not only failed to go down, it has risen slightly.

The New York Times

Instead, it was all about the apocalypse looming if Britain failed to go down this route.

The New York Times

The bombs failed to go off, so they pulled out guns and began firing wildly.

The New Yorker

A year later, Seattle failed to go beyond the second round.

The New York Times - Sports

In short, France failed to go along for selfish reasons, not because we were arrogant.

The New York Times

The apartment's only bid, for slightly under its asking price, failed to go forward.

The New York Times

In May 2010, a car bomb in Times Square failed to go off.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

And Jonno continues to fail to go upstairs".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to go", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the subject was unable to achieve or where they were unable to arrive. Clarity is key.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect verb tenses or subject-verb disagreements with "failed to go". For example, do not write "he fail to go" or "they fails to go". Instead, use the correct forms such as "he failed to go" or "they failed to go".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to go" functions as a verb phrase, typically serving as the predicate of a clause. It indicates a lack of success or inability to perform an action, specifically the action of going somewhere or achieving something. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

18%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failed to go" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a lack of success or inability to proceed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, with a primary presence in News & Media and Science. While various alternative phrases can be considered to add nuances in writing, "failed to go" remains a reliable and clear choice. When writing, be sure to select correct grammar and verb tense. This phrase expresses a lack of success of ability to perform some action or movement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was unable to go

Replaces "failed to go" with a phrase that focuses on the inability to perform the action, often due to external circumstances.

proved unable to reach

Replaces "failed to go" with a more emphatic expression of the inability to achieve the action.

was unsuccessful in reaching

Replaces "failed to go" with a formal and precise expression, emphasizing the lack of achievement in arriving at a destination.

fell short of reaching

Substitutes "failed to go" with an expression that emphasizes the inability to achieve a goal or arrive at a destination, implying a lack of success.

did not proceed

Replaces "failed to go" with a more formal and direct expression, emphasizing the lack of progression.

could not advance

Substitutes "failed to go" with a phrase indicating an inability to move forward or make progress.

was prevented from going

Substitutes "failed to go" with an emphasis on the external reasons that blocked or impede the action.

did not happen

Substitutes "failed to go" with a simpler term, highlighting that an event or action did not occur.

did not come about

Replaces "failed to go" by focusing on the non-existence of an event, suggesting that it never materialized.

didn't make it

Substitutes "failed to go" with a more casual idiom, implying the impossibility of reaching a destination or goal.

FAQs

How can I use "failed to go" in a sentence?

You can use "failed to go" to indicate that someone or something was unable to reach a destination or achieve a goal. For example, "The project "failed to go" as planned due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "failed to go"?

Alternatives include "did not proceed", "was unable to go", or "did not happen", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "failed to go" or "did not go"?

Both "failed to go" and "did not go" are grammatically correct. "Failed to go" often implies an attempt was made, while "did not go" is a more neutral statement. The best choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "failed to go" and "refused to go"?

"Failed to go" suggests an inability or lack of success in reaching a destination, whereas "refused to go" indicates a deliberate decision not to proceed. They have distinct meanings.